EGF suppresses hydrogen peroxide induced Ca2+ influx by inhibiting L-type channel activity in cultured human corneal endothelial cells

Endogenous generated hydrogen peroxide during eye bank storage limits viability. We determined in cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) whether: (1) this oxidant induces elevations in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+](i); (2) epidermal growth factor (EGF) medium supplementation has a protective effect against peroxide mediated rises in [Ca2+](i). Whereas pathophysiological concentrations of H2O2 (10 mM) induced irreversible large increases in [Ca2+](i), lower concentrations (up to I mm) had smaller effects, which were further reduced by exposure to either 5 pm nifedipine or EGF (10 ng ml(-1)). EGF had a larger protective effect against H2O2-induced rises in [Ca2+](i) than nifedipine. In addition, icilin, the agonist for the temperature sensitive transient receptor potential protein, TRPM8, had complex dose-dependent effects (i.e. 10 and 50 muM) on [Ca2+](i). At 10 muM, it reversibly elevated [Ca2+](i) whereas at 50 muM an opposite effect occurred suggesting complex effects of temperature on endothelial viability. Taken together, H2O2 induces rises in [Ca2+](i) that occur through increases in Ca2+ permeation along plasma membrane pathways that include L-type Ca2+ channels as well as other EGF-sensitive pathways. As EGF overcomes H2O2-induced rises in [Ca2+](i), its presence during eye bank storage could improve the outcome of corneal transplant surgery. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.